Propane has a slightly lower temperature flame vs. MAP fuel and works well for soldering
Swab a little flux around the end of the tubing and inside the ends of the elbows and then push the joint together. I used a common everyday, readily available propane torch to solder the copper tubing together.
Soldering itself can be mastered with practice and patience over a period of time. By following the above 7 steps, you can safely and effectively use a propane torch to heat your workpiece and achieve precise soldering results.
Bernzomatic FirePoint Creator Tool, Precision Flame Hand Torch for use with Bernzomatic MAP-Pro or Propane Fuel (Firepoint Tool)
Butane torches can be used for many different purposes, but they're especially useful when it comes to soldering. They're safer than propane torches because they produce less heat.
Heat and solder the tubing Leave the fitting on the copper tubing. Heat the joint with direct heat from the propane torch for about 20 seconds. When you think the joint has reached the right temperature, touch the soldering wire to the joint.
Propane can handle much lower temperatures, which is why it's used in homes with outdoor storage. Butane, on the other hand, is better stored indoors as it doesn't function as effectively in colder climates. For example, here in the UK, January 2021 was the coldest January we'd had in over a decade.
Heat the pipe fitting opposite where you're applying the solder. Once the solder moves, the whole joint is hot enough to solder. There's no need to heat the pipe more than that. Don't burn off the flux, as it's protecting the pipe and allowing your solder to flow smoothly.
Soldering copper pipe is a plumbing project most people can do themselves with a Bernzomatic torch and just a few essential, inexpensive materials. Soldering is a technique used most frequently for plumbing repairs and installations, but can also be used to create jewelry, connect circuit wires or automotive repair.
If the pipe is hot enough the solder will liquify and be drawn into the joint. If it's not quite hot enough the solder stays solid.
Welding Process: Firstly: Propane gas cannot be used for gas welding. When acetylene burns in oxygen, it creates a reducing zone that cleans the steel surface. Propane does not have a reducing zone like acetylene and hence cannot be used for welding.
You'll also be needing some soldering paste or flux. Soldering without flux is impossible. The flux is what keeps you pipe and fitting from oxidizing when they are being heated. There are several types of plumbing fluxes that you'll find at your hardware store.
Yes, a propane torch gets hot enough to solder wires or small pipes (say 1/2 -3/4″ copper pipes). For larger pipes, you have to be more patient . For larger pipes, a MAPP gas torch will be faster because it gets hotter.
https://goo.gl/C78RZA As well as all kinds of other DIY jobs, a heat gun is very handy for soldering copper pipes. It's most suitable for working with soft solder with a melting point below 400°C. Before soldering, you need to thoroughly clean and carefully assemble your workpiece, but you can easily do it yourself.
Gap distance is one of the important factors affecting the strength of soldered joints. It has been reported that the optimal gap distance ranges from 0.15 mm16 to 0.76 mm.
If you google it, MAPP was discontinued because it burns cooler than acetylene, and costs substantially more than acetylene.
I get asked “Can I weld with a Propane Torch”, a lot. Sadly, the simple answer is NO, you need Oxygen and Acetylene to Fusion Weld. A lot of companies are now offering Propylene as an alternative to Acetylene. Oxy/Propylene is a lot hotter than Oxy/Propane but you still can't successfully weld with it.
How do you fix a leaking copper pipe without soldering? Soldering is a secure way to fix a leaky copper pipe, but if you don't have access to a soldering iron, you can use a slip repair coupling or compression couplings. These types of couplings tighten with a wrench or by hand.
Both of these gases produce blue flames, but propane has a much hotter flame up to 3,600°F (1,982°C). Butane has a direct heat output of approximately 2,400°F (1,316°C).
Propane burns hotter than butane due to its chemical structure, propane – C3H8, Butane C4 H10. Propane has a higher calorific value which means it gives out more energy than butane. Propane has a hotter flame temperature, hence why propane is the preffered fuel for cooking / catering applications (as well as heating).
LP gas is a crude oil product made of propane, butane and isobutane. Propane does not include any other gases. In the U.S., it's common to call LP gas “propane” since “LP gas” is not common terminology. Since these gases are often the same, calling LP gas “propane” is technically accurate.